Without thinking, she lifted her fingers to her lips. Two days and she could remember the taste of him, the sting of that kiss. It was delectable. And totally wrong.
She dropped her hand and turned toward her office. The door opened up to the shop so she’d be able to see if anyone needed anything. Right now, she just needed some space all her own to think.
That kiss had been one of the best kisses of her life.
And she hated it.
Tripp was a jerk. He cared for no one but himself.
Okay, that wasn’t fair. He cared about his family. And that was sorta sweet in and of itself. She could appreciate that. Clearly, he cared enough about Reese to be part of the wedding party eventhough he was stuck with her. His family cared about him, too. And she knew some of them well enough to trust their judgment.
Heck, she knew how hard it could be to love a family member in spite of every bad decision.
Even though she despised the guy, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something she was missing. One second, he was infuriatingly cocky, and she wanted nothing but to wipe the sure smile off his face. Then the next he was sweet and romantic, reeling her in against her will and common sense. But then he could flip it around with a snap of his fingers and be just so…
Wendy groaned again, rubbing circles at her temples. She needed to keep her distance. That was the only solution to these strange thoughts that wouldn’t leave her alone. Tonight there was another party. She’d lost track of which one it was. Could be a get together. Could be the bachelorette party for all she knew. Either way, she needed to come up with an excuse and fast. Because if she didn’t tell Serenity why she wasn’t going to be there, then the woman might actually show up on her doorstep and drag her there herself.
Sickness.That was the plan.
Wendy chewed on her thumb as she held her phone in her hand. This excuse meant she couldn’t just call Serenity when work finished. She had to make it look like she’d gotten sick from something she ate. This had to be sudden and bad.
A quick glance at the clock on the wall indicated she’d have to leave in the next five minutes or so if she wanted to get thereon time. She wasn’t even dressed. Serenity would understand and Wendy would get the chance to have another quiet night at home.
With a heavy sigh, Wendy dialed Serenity’s number. She picked up on the first ring and without preamble, she said, “No, Wendy.”
Gaping, Wendy pulled the phone away to stare at the screen to make sure she didn’t video call her friend. “What do you mean, no?” she asked when she put the phone back to her ear.
“I mean you’re not getting out of this event. I know something is going on between you and Tripp and I don’t care. You’re not coming for him. You’re coming for me.”
“But I don’t feel good.”
“You sound fine to me.”
Shoot! Wendy had been so thrown off by the way this conversation was going that she hadn’t remembered to act as though she was seconds away from tossing the contents of her stomach. “Migraines are no joke, Serenity. It’s been a long day and I don’t feel like going to a party with loud music and… stuff.”
“Stuff…” Serenity drawled. “You mean like Tripp?”
Wendy flushed. How much had Tripp told her? Did he tell everyone that they’d kissed? Was he spreading lies about their non-relationship? Why couldn’t she just be free of this man?
Because if he were to suddenly disappear, she knew deep in her soul that she’d be disappointed. That realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Their lives were intertwined whether she wanted to admit it or not. Whether she liked it or not.
“I’m not going,” Wendy attempted again. “You can’t make me.”
At that moment there was a knock at the door. Wendy frowned, moving toward it.
“I don’t want to make you, Wendy. But you and I both know that sometimes you need to just get out of your comfort zone. This wedding is helping you do that. You didn’t even know half the people in this town before you started coming to these events.”
“Half the people is practically the whole Reese family.”
Serenity laughed. “You’re probably right about that.”
Wendy reached the door and unlocked the deadbolt. “I’m sorry, Serenity. But I really think it would be best if I—” Her words stalled in her chest as she came face to face with the devil himself. The reason she didn’t want to attend the party tonight. Her only reason for the guilt and frustration that wouldn’t disappear.
“You’re wrong,” Serenity said, far too much smugness in her voice.
“About what?” Wendy rasped, her eyes locking with Tripp. He had his arms braced on the door jambs and he was staring at her with that same evil mischief he wore when he was about to do something wicked.
“You’re wrong about two things. You do need to come. It’s important to me that you do. And you’re wrong that I can’t make you. Well, sort of. You’re not wrong thatIcan’t make you. But someone else can.”
